UPDATE: Police release name in Mishawaka homicide investigation

The Mishawaka police wait for The St. Joseph County metro-homicide unit to investigate a suspicious death at the corner of Donaldson and Division Streets in Mishawaka on Thursday morning. (South Bend Tribune/SANTIAGO FLORES)

MISHAWAKA — Police are investigating a possible homicide in the 300 block of East Donaldson Avenue in Mishawaka. An elderly woman, now identified by police as 84-year-old Lois Hickey, was found dead Thursday morning in her home.

A neighbor called police around 9 a.m. after noticingHickey'sfront window was broken open, officials said. Police believeHickey mayhave been dead for more than a day, said Lt. David Wells, assistant commander of the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit.

Police found indications that her death may have been the result of foul play, Well said.

"We are treating this as a homicide," Wells said.

Neighbors saidHickeywas often out in her yard -- mowing, raking, or shoveling the driveway.

"I'm so upset," said a 78-year-old woman who lives across the street. "She was such a lovely person."

Hickey's home, a tidy single-story yellow ranch house with black shutters, was blocked off with yellow crime scene tape by 11 a.m. A front window appeared to be broken, and three newspapers were sitting outside her front door.

"It appears quite possibly that force was used to gain entry into the house," Wells said.

Police were searching for theHickey'scar, a 2002 four-door, gold Saturn. It was later found in the River Park area.

Anyone with information about the crime should call the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit at 235-5009.